What can and should the hospitality industry do to overcome this major issue?In the UK alone, we throw away 18m tonnes of food a year[1]. WastED, the new pop up restaurant at Selfridges is 'exploring the gastronomic possibilities of the unlovely byproducts of food production', in a bid to not only raise awareness of how much food waste there is every year but how delicious dishes can actually be made out of it.Food wastage is a huge problem for the hospitality sector, which is often flagged by clients who are keen to know how our systems can help play a part in eradicating this major issue. At Lolly, our goal is to help lean and dynamic small businesses across the hospitality sector run more efficiently and profitably.Our much loved coffee shops can provide a good example of wastage. With hundreds or pre-packed sandwiches that have met their sell by date, the usual practice would be to just throw these out at the end of the day, and - at best - make paper-based notes on what went to waste. Our software system has the ability to log which products go to waste, so that trends can be picked up and - in this case - allow the coffee shop to identify best and worst selling lines so that they can adjust stock levels and minimise waste. They can log into the back office and access the till system to adjust stock levels - immediately.Equally, members of staff can use the software to log spillages as wastage or where there is a tasting event.For this sector, there is a great emphasis on keeping track of the operation and close controls on stock levels, as well as the underlying profits. Most business do not realise how much food waste costs them. A 240 litre wheeled bin filled with food waste costs around £240 for food purchase costs and waste disposal alone. Just one bin of food waste per week across 52 weeks of the year could cost a business more than £12,000[2]. This is money that could be saved if a few things were done differently.Here are a few tips to help:TOP TIPS ON PREVENTING WASTAGE
[1] http://www.resourceefficientscotland.com/sites/default/files/Managing%20Food%20Waste%20in%20the%20Hospitality%20%26%20Food%20Service%20Industry.pdf[2] Ibid
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising myriad industries from healthcare to finance. Its application in the hospitality sector has been transformative - enhancing operational efficiencies and the overall customer experience, in previously unattainable ways
This week the country will be heading to the polling booths to cast their votes in the General Election. The hospitality industry has fallen on difficult times over recent years - from the lasting effects of the Covid pandemic to the impact of the cost of living crisis. Those people running businesses across the sector will be looking for support and change under the newly formed Government– in order to help them forge a successful way forward.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get a curated summary of our latest insights delivered to your inbox monthly. No sales pitches, no spam — ever.